Police Volunteers

[wcr]

Serious question:

How do I become a Foreign Police volunteer? Where to apply, what do I have to provide etc. etc.

Thanks.

The FPV's are the ones based in Soi 9, Police Station, and not in WS who are the TPV's!!! Confused?

To apply to be a FPV you need to fill out an application form and supply the information requested on that application. Applications are available from the Pattaya People offices.

I don't know about the TPV's, but I would suggest contacting the TP Station.

[Maestro]

Not all of the time but I have seen people in "SWAT" t-shirts…

A picture would come in handy. I’ve searched the Internet and couldn’t find any.

Peter Lloyd wrote about black Tourist Police Volunteers but he may have meant that they were wearing black t-shirts.

--

Maestro

[Maestro]

...It was also a undercover western police volunteer who made the purchase of Viagra (or generic) in a sting operation from the manager of Shamrock Bar about 1 year earlier that lead to his arrest and sacking (to the delight of many)

I wasn’t clear to me whether it was the western police volunteer or the manager of Shamrock bar who got arrested and sacked, so I searched the Internet and found this in Pattaya Today News:

Farang arrested for illegal stimulant sale

Police headed by local tourist police commander lieutenant colonel Wuttichart Luaensucant set up a plan to arrest Mr James Radford Cameron, an Australian national, who was re-selling Camagra (female stimulant) tablets which are anyhow available in local chemists’ shops.

Complaints had been made by members of the public who had observed the shady dealings. On September 23, two farang volunteers acting for the police spoke to Mr Cameron in the Shamrock bar, Pattayaland soi two, and bought a quantity to the value of 700 baht. The “agents provocateurs” then left, but a group of regular police then rushed in and found the previously marked bank notes on Mr Cameron’s person. The 52 year old farang admitted the charge and was arrested. He said he bought the tablets for 300 baht apiece and resold them for a modest profit of 50 baht. Police said it was an offence to buy even lawful drugs and then resell them at a profit. Such activity was a breach of the alien labour act and an offence under the selling of prescribed medicines legislation. A statement was also taken from staff at a neighbouring pharmacy store which may unwittingly have assisted in the furtherance of crime.

So it was the manager of the bar who got arrested, “to the delight of many”

--

Maestro

P.S. My apologies to Peter Lloyd. One of four reasons why I thought his article quoted in the OP was nonsensical was that he wrongly expected the Tourist Police Volunteers to carry out undercover operations. The above news report indicates that they do, but only in specific cases and under instruction from the Tourist Police, a division of the Royal Thai Police.

[GooMaiRoo]

...It was also a undercover western police volunteer who made the purchase of Viagra (or generic) in a sting operation from the manager of Shamrock Bar about 1 year earlier that lead to his arrest and sacking (to the delight of many)

I wasn't clear to me whether it was the western police volunteer or the manager of Shamrock bar who got arrested and sacked, so I searched the Internet and found this in Pattaya Today News:

Farang arrested for illegal stimulant sale

Police headed by local tourist police commander lieutenant colonel Wuttichart Luaensucant set up a plan to arrest Mr James Radford Cameron, an Australian national, who was re-selling Camagra (female stimulant) tablets which are anyhow available in local chemists' shops.

Complaints had been made by members of the public who had observed the shady dealings. On September 23, two farang volunteers acting for the police spoke to Mr Cameron in the Shamrock bar, Pattayaland soi two, and bought a quantity to the value of 700 baht. The "agents provocateurs" then left, but a group of regular police then rushed in and found the previously marked bank notes on Mr Cameron's person. The 52 year old farang admitted the charge and was arrested. He said he bought the tablets for 300 baht apiece and resold them for a modest profit of 50 baht. Police said it was an offence to buy even lawful drugs and then resell them at a profit. Such activity was a breach of the alien labour act and an offence under the selling of prescribed medicines legislation. A statement was also taken from staff at a neighbouring pharmacy store which may unwittingly have assisted in the furtherance of crime.

So it was the manager of the bar who got arrested, "to the delight of many"

--

Maestro

It seems this topic has been discussed for many years and is nothing new, I found this Thai Visa link earlier www.thaivisa.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t20372.html

[Prakanong]

Not all of the time but I have seen people in "SWAT" t-shirts…

A picture would come in handy. I've searched the Internet and couldn't find any.

Peter Lloyd wrote about black Tourist Police Volunteers but he may have meant that they were wearing black t-shirts.

--

Maestro

I think plain black t-shirts are the normal attire and what I have seen mostly.

It was just one time I particularly noticed and then who it was.

As we do not wish the thread to degenerate I will keep to myself my thoughts at the time but was in giggles and other thoughts as to why someone go to the bother of getting a t-shirt made up for themselves with that on!

[Prakanong]

...It was also a undercover western police volunteer who made the purchase of Viagra (or generic) in a sting operation from the manager of Shamrock Bar about 1 year earlier that lead to his arrest and sacking (to the delight of many)

I wasn't clear to me whether it was the western police volunteer or the manager of Shamrock bar who got arrested and sacked, so I searched the Internet and found this in Pattaya Today News:

Farang arrested for illegal stimulant sale

Police headed by local tourist police commander lieutenant colonel Wuttichart Luaensucant set up a plan to arrest Mr James Radford Cameron, an Australian national, who was re-selling Camagra (female stimulant) tablets which are anyhow available in local chemists' shops.

Complaints had been made by members of the public who had observed the shady dealings. On September 23, two farang volunteers acting for the police spoke to Mr Cameron in the Shamrock bar, Pattayaland soi two, and bought a quantity to the value of 700 baht. The "agents provocateurs" then left, but a group of regular police then rushed in and found the previously marked bank notes on Mr Cameron's person. The 52 year old farang admitted the charge and was arrested. He said he bought the tablets for 300 baht apiece and resold them for a modest profit of 50 baht. Police said it was an offence to buy even lawful drugs and then resell them at a profit. Such activity was a breach of the alien labour act and an offence under the selling of prescribed medicines legislation. A statement was also taken from staff at a neighbouring pharmacy store which may unwittingly have assisted in the furtherance of crime.

So it was the manager of the bar who got arrested, "to the delight of many"

--

Maestro

P.S. My apologies to Peter Lloyd. One of four reasons why I thought his article quoted in the OP was nonsensical was that he wrongly expected the Tourist Police Volunteers to carry out undercover operations. The above news report indicates that they do, but only in specific cases and under instruction from the Tourist Police, a division of the Royal Thai Police.

Cameron - that was his name - I had forgotten it.

"Female Stimulant" - hmmm the reporters are a tad wrong there!

[Jimmyd]

I am a Foreign Police volunteer and as such am based solely in Pattaya police station, Soi 9....snip...I hope you now understand how we are fulfilling our promise to help farangs/foreigners, and at the same time relieving some of the workload of the police.

You're the perfect person to answer my question then, having direct experience. Are you required to have a work permit to do your volunteer work in Thailand or are you exempted from that requirement?

[raro]

As have been posted by both members and admin/mods, please keep the discussions in this thread civil and respectful... and the thread can stay open for discussion... who knows, maybe we can all learn something new.

I second that!

Now we learned a lot about the Police Volunteers and it seems there are some of them on the board. What about the TPV, any of them around?

[mecons1]

The Thai volunteer Police are not particular to Pattaya, the Tourist police are trying to recruit volunteers all across Thailand to faciltate their interaction with foreigners. In the UK "Volunteers" or "Specials" are considered "Hobby Bobbies" by the regulars who don't have much time for them, for various reason, one of which is financial, if they do it for nothing there is no paid overtime for the regulars.

I nam sure in principle it is a good idea but they must work within the framework of their mandate, which is restrictive to say the least, hence the strutting I would imagine.

[Maestro]

So far I have seen three verbs to describe the Tourist Police Volunteers’ mode of locomotion:

– saunter (Peter Lloyd)

– prance (Prakanong)

– strut (mecons1)

This got me to wondering how these people would describe my manner of walking, and I am not a Tourist Police Volunteer.

--

Maestro

[Basset]

I am a Foreign Police volunteer and as such am based solely in Pattaya police station, Soi 9....snip...I hope you now understand how we are fulfilling our promise to help farangs/foreigners, and at the same time relieving some of the workload of the police.

You're the perfect person to answer my question then, having direct experience. Are you required to have a work permit to do your volunteer work in Thailand or are you exempted from that requirement?

I will try and answer that one for you Jimmyd as I too am a member of the FPV. Like many volunteer groups we are exempt from the need of a workpermit, we are issued with an ID card that covers the Soi 9 Police Station.This is not just a police thing, if you go to bristols music bar on I think Sundays whoever plays is exempt a work permit as they are raising funds for charity but they have applied for this!. I would class our work as more like that of a Citizens Advice than police. I find the job rewarding in that we are in direct contact with both tourists of all nations and ex pats, the reward comes from seeing them leave with a problem solved. The only thing I dont like is the Black Gear!! but maybe we can change that.

[Jimmyd]

Thanks for the reply. I have heard many stories (though have never been sure if they were true) of people getting in trouble for volunteering in Thailand. It's nice to know that the ministry of labor (or whoever decides these things) has decided that your volunteer work is legal. It certainly wouldn't look good for the police if they were employing people illegally!

[Rdrokit]

Jimmyd,

A little more on volunteer work. If you are volunteering it must be in a position that a Thai worker could not perform. That is why there are Police Volunteers as a regular Thai policeman could not perform the job as we speak many languages and know foreign customs. One could not volunteer or work for free as say a musician or bartender as a Thai could perform that work. Hope that helps make it a little clearer.

[Jimmyd]

Jimmyd,

A little more on volunteer work. If you are volunteering it must be in a position that a Thai worker could not perform. That is why there are Police Volunteers as a regular Thai policeman could not perform the job as we speak many languages and know foreign customs. One could not volunteer or work for free as say a musician or bartender as a Thai could perform that work. Hope that helps make it a little clearer.

I don't think you phrased that very well, because it seems to imply that Thai people can't speak many languages and know foreign customs. Many of my Thai friends would be very surprised to hear that!

[Prakanong]

Thanks for the reply. I have heard many stories (though have never been sure if they were true) of people getting in trouble for volunteering in Thailand. It's nice to know that the ministry of labor (or whoever decides these things) has decided that your volunteer work is legal. It certainly wouldn't look good for the police if they were employing people illegally!

Yes - was it not post Tsunami that some Minister or other poitico suggested volunteer's could be arrested as they did not have WP's

[sriracha john]

Two little disclaimers, because of the nature of news reporting it are mostly negative things showing up, secondly, the articles are only mentioning the Thai volunteers and NOT the foreign volunteers we are discussing in this thread.

I asked about an incident back on Post #29 that went unanswered, but I did not identify it specifically as an incident involving foreign police volunteers.....

so I'll post it here for clarity that that is what it was about. Coupled with the foreign police volunteer undercover sting operation at the Shamrock, it might provide some possible motivations for their service:

PATTAYA VOLUNTEER POLICE INDULGE IN UZBEK STING OPERATION

...The foreign undercover officers made arrangements with the four Uzbek women for sexual services at the Pattaya Inn Hotel, Soi B.J., Walking Street, South Pattaya, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi, Rooms 203, 206 and 207. When the love making sessions were concluded, the prostitutes asked for 2,000 baht each. The undercover representatives gave a total of 8,000 baht to the women, and the police placed them under arrest.

- Pattaya Daily News

===============================================================================

So they are completely abandoning normal police protocol that is followed anywhere else in the world?

//Edit: "anywhere else in the world" is off-topic. Aside from that, nobody can be expected to know "normal police protocol" anywhere else in the world and thus nobody can be expected to be able to give an answer. - Maestro

[Pattaya_Fox]

Two little disclaimers, because of the nature of news reporting it are mostly negative things showing up, secondly, the articles are only mentioning the Thai volunteers and NOT the foreign volunteers we are discussing in this thread.

I asked about an incident back on Post #29 that went unanswered, but I did not identify it specifically as an incident involving foreign police volunteers.....

so I'll post it here for clarity that that is what it was about. Coupled with the foreign police volunteer undercover sting operation at the Shamrock, it might provide some possible motivations for their service:

PATTAYA VOLUNTEER POLICE INDULGE IN UZBEK STING OPERATION

...The foreign undercover officers made arrangements with the four Uzbek women for sexual services at the Pattaya Inn Hotel, Soi B.J., Walking Street, South Pattaya, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi, Rooms 203, 206 and 207. When the love making sessions were concluded, the prostitutes asked for 2,000 baht each. The undercover representatives gave a total of 8,000 baht to the women, and the police placed them under arrest.

- Pattaya Daily News

===============================================================================

So they are completely abandoning normal police protocol that is followed anywhere else in the world?

Devotion to duty?

[hm1973]

Two little disclaimers, because of the nature of news reporting it are mostly negative things showing up, secondly, the articles are only mentioning the Thai volunteers and NOT the foreign volunteers we are discussing in this thread.

I asked about an incident back on Post #29 that went unanswered, but I did not identify it specifically as an incident involving foreign police volunteers.....

so I'll post it here for clarity that that is what it was about. Coupled with the foreign police volunteer undercover sting operation at the Shamrock, it might provide some possible motivations for their service:

PATTAYA VOLUNTEER POLICE INDULGE IN UZBEK STING OPERATION

...The foreign undercover officers made arrangements with the four Uzbek women for sexual services at the Pattaya Inn Hotel, Soi B.J., Walking Street, South Pattaya, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi, Rooms 203, 206 and 207. When the love making sessions were concluded, the prostitutes asked for 2,000 baht each. The undercover representatives gave a total of 8,000 baht to the women, and the police placed them under arrest.

- Pattaya Daily News

===============================================================================

So they are completely abandoning normal police protocol that is followed anywhere else in the world?

This story was wrong and sensationalised to get some extra hits.

Anyway...sorry I have not been around for a while...been busy all day.

For those that don't know me let me introduce myself......

I am Howard, the owner of PCN and co-leader of the Foreign Tourist Police Assistants (which is our new name and replaces FTPV's). I was the first active foreign Tourist Police Volunteer in Thailand so I guess I know a bit about what we do.

Our basic function is the same as the FPV's based at Soi 9. Our primary role is to assist the Tourist Police in dealing with foreigners.

We are different though because we are out in the field which means we encounter many things such as fights, robberies and other cases that carry elements of danger which is why our group wear utility belts containing items that we are permitted to use under close supervision from the Tourist Police.

On any given night we may deal with anything from directing a tourist to a bar or hotel to stopping a fight to dealing with a medical emergency...we are prepared for anything. We have a mixture of young and older assistants.

I find it funny when someone mentioned about the SWAT T-Shirt....that was me....guilty as charged.....I was given it as a joke and wore it about three times in total last year. Some people have good memories.

For me personally, my experiences including pulling people out of a hotel fire, stopping an english man from killing himself with a knife and documenting suicides and natural deaths of foriegners to assist embassies in informing the families of the deceased.

I am off out now but if anyone wants to find out more about the FTPA's then please come and see me on Walking Street. I am the ugly bald mean-looking man who is a softy in reality!!!!!

By the way, it is really great having the FPV's at Soi 9 because if we need to take a case to the Police Station we can now hand it over to them instead of the Thai Police which is good for the foreigner who has been arrested. Good job Guys!!!!

[sriracha john]

Could you possibly explain specifically what was wrong in the news article about TPV working undercover as prostitution "John's"? Thank you.

[sriracha john]

I will try and answer that one for you Jimmyd as I too am a member of the FPV. Like many volunteer groups we are exempt from the need of a workpermit, we are issued with an ID card that covers the Soi 9 Police Station.This is not just a police thing, if you go to bristols music bar on I think Sundays whoever plays is exempt a work permit as they are raising funds for charity but they have applied for this!. I would class our work as more like that of a Citizens Advice than police. I find the job rewarding in that we are in direct contact with both tourists of all nations and ex pats, the reward comes from seeing them leave with a problem solved. The only thing I dont like is the Black Gear!! but maybe we can change that.

Might we ask who specifically authorized this special exemption from the work permit requirement that is in place for all foreigners working in Thailand, either as paid workers or volunteer workers?

Has the Labour Ministry provided their written authorization for this exemption from their requirement?

[Basset]

I will try and answer that one for you Jimmyd as I too am a member of the FPV. Like many volunteer groups we are exempt from the need of a workpermit, we are issued with an ID card that covers the Soi 9 Police Station.This is not just a police thing, if you go to bristols music bar on I think Sundays whoever plays is exempt a work permit as they are raising funds for charity but they have applied for this!. I would class our work as more like that of a Citizens Advice than police. I find the job rewarding in that we are in direct contact with both tourists of all nations and ex pats, the reward comes from seeing them leave with a problem solved. The only thing I dont like is the Black Gear!! but maybe we can change that.

Might we ask who specifically authorized this special exemption from the work permit requirement that is in place for all foreigners working in Thailand, either as paid workers or volunteer workers?

Has the Labour Ministry provided their written authorization for this exemption from their requirement?

As regards the FPV we are authorised on a trial period from local goverment at Chonburi, certainly nothing special about it and I dont think that is what this post is about, its about do we do a wothwhile job. I think we do as do the many people who have walked into Soi 9 and seen someone they can ask for advice allbeit wearing a black shirt ( I really do hate them and I dont even have dandruff! then again I dont have any hair either )

[sriracha john]

I will try and answer that one for you Jimmyd as I too am a member of the FPV. Like many volunteer groups we are exempt from the need of a workpermit, we are issued with an ID card that covers the Soi 9 Police Station.This is not just a police thing, if you go to bristols music bar on I think Sundays whoever plays is exempt a work permit as they are raising funds for charity but they have applied for this!. I would class our work as more like that of a Citizens Advice than police. I find the job rewarding in that we are in direct contact with both tourists of all nations and ex pats, the reward comes from seeing them leave with a problem solved. The only thing I dont like is the Black Gear!! but maybe we can change that.

Might we ask who specifically authorized this special exemption from the work permit requirement that is in place for all foreigners working in Thailand, either as paid workers or volunteer workers?

Has the Labour Ministry provided their written authorization for this exemption from their requirement?

As regards the FPV we are authorised on a trial period from local goverment at Chonburi, certainly nothing special about it and I dont think that is what this post is about, its about do we do a wothwhile job. I think we do as do the many people who have walked into Soi 9 and seen someone they can ask for advice allbeit wearing a black shirt ( I really do hate them and I dont even have dandruff! then again I dont have any hair either )

Thank you for your response, however, I'm not questioning whether the work is worthwhile or not.

I'm questioning the specific legality of being exempted from the work permit requirements that everyone else must comply with in Thailand.

There are countless foreigners who would very willingly volunteer on a regular basis in any number of worthwhile causes, but are impeded from doing by the endless bureaucracy involved in getting work permits from the Labour Ministry. Now if this organization is specifically exempted from the stringent requirements demanding work permits (eg. failure to comply is cause for deportation), then I would expect there would be specific written authorizations and that the Labour Ministry co-authorizes these specific exemptions for the members of this organization.

Do you possess such authorizations individually or have you witnessed a group exemption letter that authorizes all of you to work without a work permit? If so, might we inquire as to who signed off on it and from which department of the government they represent?

[sriracha john]

In the interest of completeness and fairness, I'm posting the article that I inquired about its erroneous points, from Post #84, in its entirety:

PATTAYA VOLUNTEER POLICE INDULGE IN UZBEK STING OPERATION

Undercover Pattaya Tourist Police pretend to solicit sex from foreign women. Four women from Republic of Uzbekistan were arrested.

On the 22nd May 2007, at 02:30 am, Pol. Lt. Col. Withichart Luensukan, Tourist Police Inspector of Pattaya, and his team, planned an operation to nab Uzbek Prostitutes around the night time entertainment areas. The undercover Pattaya Tourist Police officers managed to arrest four ladies who were offering their services.

The foreign undercover officers made arrangements with the four Uzbek women for sexual services at the Pattaya Inn Hotel, Soi B.J., Walking Street, South Pattaya, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi, Rooms 203, 206 and 207. When the love making sessions were concluded, the prostitutes asked for 2,000 baht each. The undercover representatives gave a total of 8,000 baht to the women, and the police placed them under arrest.

The four Uzbek women accused of prostitution, were: Mrs. HAMAROEVA DILBAR (23), Mrs. UMEDA KUVONDIKOVA (29), Mrs. GULHAN KURBANNBAEVA (23) and Mrs. LOLA ERGASHVA (31). All four ladies confessed that they have been coming to Pattaya as tourists. At night, they went to entertainment spots around Walking Street, South Pattaya, and approached foreign men offering sexual favors. They charged from 2,000 to 2,500 Baht. They have been doing this for quite a while. There are reportedly many women from Uzbekistan working as prostitutes in Pattaya.

The four ladies were arrested and charged with prostitution. South Pattaya Investigators will process the case according to the law.

- Pattaya Daily News / May 22, 2007

========================================================================

With similar operations occuring since:

TWENTY-TWO MORE UZBEK PROSTITUTES ARRESTED IN PATTAYA

A large number of foreign females, who entered Thailand as tourists, but worked as prostitutes, were arrested.

On 14 June 2007, at 2:30 AM, several tourists complained to Pol.Col. Ithichai Ithisarnronachai, Pattaya Immigration Superintendent, that there were many Uzbek women offering sexual services around beer bars and entertainment places on Walking Street, South Pattaya.

The Chief of Police ordered Pol.Capt. Archeep Jaroensuk, Deputy Investigation Officer and a team of police officers, including twenty volunteers to clean up the situation. The police team arrested twenty-two Uzbek women who entered Thailand as tourists, but worked as prostitutes. Two of them had expired passports. The women were fined and a record was made of their offenses.

- Pattaya Daily News / June 14, 2007

============================================================

UNDERCOVER STING NETS THREE MORE UZBEK PROSTITUTES

The Pattaya Immigration Police sent foreign undercover police volunteers, in a sting operation, to purchase sexual services from Uzbek women. The police managed to nab three Uzbek prostitutes and two Thai men, who were their agents.

On 20 September 2007, at 2 AM, Police Colonel Ithiphol Ithisarn-ronachai, Pattaya Immigration Superintendent was informed of a Thai agency that provided Uzbek prostitutes to clients in Pattaya City. Pattaya Immigration set up a sting operation, along with Police Lieutenant Colonel Prasart Kemaprasit, Central Immigration Investigator, and sent three foreign undercover police volunteers to arrange for female prostitutes from the Thai agency.

The three foreign undercover volunteers, with 4500 baht in their pockets, met with Mr. Sathaporn Jaiyos (39), from Utaradit Province, and Mr. Amornsit Chainam (33), from Ubonrachathani Province, in front of the V.C. Hotel, in South Pattaya, to buy sexual services from three Uzbek women.

Mr. Sathaporn and Mr Amornsit took the foreign undercover operatives to meet the three Uzbek women, Miss Sattorova Nargiza (24), Miss Shoyimova Nilufar (27) and Miss Dinoza Allyeva (27), who were waiting for customers nearby. After negotiating the price, they all went to the Gulf Siam Hotel, in North Pattaya, and checked into Rooms 203, 205 and 206. A number of police officers were waiting in the hotel lobby. After some moments, the police appeared in the rooms and arrested the three Uzbek women and the two Thai men who had arranged for the assignations.

The three Uzbek women told police that they had come to Thailand, as tourists, so they could work as prostitutes. Five hundred out of the 1500 baht that the customer was charged went to the agency as a commission for arranging the sexual session. Police took all of them to the station to make a record. The women will be blacklisted so they cannot enter Thailand again. Pattaya Police will process the case according to the law.

Pattaya Daily News / September 21, 2007

--------------------------------------------------

"After some moments, the police appeared in the rooms"

hmmmm... the women certainly had enough "moments" to get completely undressed:

[johnh101]

We are different though because we are out in the field which means we encounter many things such as fights, robberies and other cases that carry elements of danger which is why our group wear utility belts containing items that we are permitted to use under close supervision from the Tourist Police.

So Howard, please explain what items you are permitted to use ?

Handcuffs, batons, Knifes, Leathermans, tazers, zippos, plastic ties, band-aids, etc, etc, ..............?????

Some times these guys look like extras from Rambo.

[sohn]

In the interest of completeness and fairness, I'm posting the article that I inquired about its erroneous points, from Post #84, in its entirety:

PATTAYA VOLUNTEER POLICE INDULGE IN UZBEK STING OPERATION

Undercover Pattaya Tourist Police pretend to solicit sex from foreign women. Four women from Republic of Uzbekistan were arrested.

On the 22nd May 2007, at 02:30 am, Pol. Lt. Col. Withichart Luensukan, Tourist Police Inspector of Pattaya, and his team, planned an operation to nab Uzbek Prostitutes around the night time entertainment areas. The undercover Pattaya Tourist Police officers managed to arrest four ladies who were offering their services.

The foreign undercover officers made arrangements with the four Uzbek women for sexual services at the Pattaya Inn Hotel, Soi B.J., Walking Street, South Pattaya, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi, Rooms 203, 206 and 207. When the love making sessions were concluded, the prostitutes asked for 2,000 baht each. The undercover representatives gave a total of 8,000 baht to the women, and the police placed them under arrest.

The four Uzbek women accused of prostitution, were: Mrs. HAMAROEVA DILBAR (23), Mrs. UMEDA KUVONDIKOVA (29), Mrs. GULHAN KURBANNBAEVA (23) and Mrs. LOLA ERGASHVA (31). All four ladies confessed that they have been coming to Pattaya as tourists. At night, they went to entertainment spots around Walking Street, South Pattaya, and approached foreign men offering sexual favors. They charged from 2,000 to 2,500 Baht. They have been doing this for quite a while. There are reportedly many women from Uzbekistan working as prostitutes in Pattaya.

The four ladies were arrested and charged with prostitution. South Pattaya Investigators will process the case according to the law.

- Pattaya Daily News / May 22, 2007

========================================================================

With similar operations occuring since:

TWENTY-TWO MORE UZBEK PROSTITUTES ARRESTED IN PATTAYA

A large number of foreign females, who entered Thailand as tourists, but worked as prostitutes, were arrested.

On 14 June 2007, at 2:30 AM, several tourists complained to Pol.Col. Ithichai Ithisarnronachai, Pattaya Immigration Superintendent, that there were many Uzbek women offering sexual services around beer bars and entertainment places on Walking Street, South Pattaya.

The Chief of Police ordered Pol.Capt. Archeep Jaroensuk, Deputy Investigation Officer and a team of police officers, including twenty volunteers to clean up the situation. The police team arrested twenty-two Uzbek women who entered Thailand as tourists, but worked as prostitutes. Two of them had expired passports. The women were fined and a record was made of their offenses.

- Pattaya Daily News / June 14, 2007

============================================================

UNDERCOVER STING NETS THREE MORE UZBEK PROSTITUTES

The Pattaya Immigration Police sent foreign undercover police volunteers, in a sting operation, to purchase sexual services from Uzbek women. The police managed to nab three Uzbek prostitutes and two Thai men, who were their agents.

On 20 September 2007, at 2 AM, Police Colonel Ithiphol Ithisarn-ronachai, Pattaya Immigration Superintendent was informed of a Thai agency that provided Uzbek prostitutes to clients in Pattaya City. Pattaya Immigration set up a sting operation, along with Police Lieutenant Colonel Prasart Kemaprasit, Central Immigration Investigator, and sent three foreign undercover police volunteers to arrange for female prostitutes from the Thai agency.

The three foreign undercover volunteers, with 4500 baht in their pockets, met with Mr. Sathaporn Jaiyos (39), from Utaradit Province, and Mr. Amornsit Chainam (33), from Ubonrachathani Province, in front of the V.C. Hotel, in South Pattaya, to buy sexual services from three Uzbek women.

Mr. Sathaporn and Mr Amornsit took the foreign undercover operatives to meet the three Uzbek women, Miss Sattorova Nargiza (24), Miss Shoyimova Nilufar (27) and Miss Dinoza Allyeva (27), who were waiting for customers nearby. After negotiating the price, they all went to the Gulf Siam Hotel, in North Pattaya, and checked into Rooms 203, 205 and 206. A number of police officers were waiting in the hotel lobby. After some moments, the police appeared in the rooms and arrested the three Uzbek women and the two Thai men who had arranged for the assignations.

The three Uzbek women told police that they had come to Thailand, as tourists, so they could work as prostitutes. Five hundred out of the 1500 baht that the customer was charged went to the agency as a commission for arranging the sexual session. Police took all of them to the station to make a record. The women will be blacklisted so they cannot enter Thailand again. Pattaya Police will process the case according to the law.

Pattaya Daily News / September 21, 2007

--------------------------------------------------

"After some moments, the police appeared in the rooms"

hmmmm... the women certainly had enough "moments" to get completely undressed:

Why are they doing this, whats the diferance than the Thais doing this.

Please do some real police work, and bust all the bad boys down walking street.

its all going on, right under your nose, every night, you know.

[Prakanong]

We are different though because we are out in the field which means we encounter many things such as fights, robberies and other cases that carry elements of danger which is why our group wear utility belts containing items that we are permitted to use under close supervision from the Tourist Police.

So Howard, please explain what items you are permitted to use ?

Handcuffs, batons, Knifes, Leathermans, tazers, zippos, plastic ties, band-aids, etc, etc, ..............?????

Some times these guys look like extras from Rambo.

And what about this

"By the way, it is really great having the FPV's at Soi 9 because if we need to take a case to the Police Station we can now hand it over to them instead of the Thai Police which is good for the foreigner who has been arrested. Good job Guys!!!! "

So they are handing over people at the police station and not Thai police to Police - or is this just for non-criminal or arrest cases.

Far be it for me to question someones altruistic or philanthropic motives but owning PCN and volunteering for trhis does give one certain primary access to news does it now

As for SWAT shirt three times - it may well be but given the teensy weensy amount of time I spend in Pattaya its a hel_l of a coincidence that I saw someone wearing one and remembered over a year later!!!

[wcr]

I am a Foreign Police volunteer and as such am based solely in Pattaya police station, Soi 9....snip...I hope you now understand how we are fulfilling our promise to help farangs/foreigners, and at the same time relieving some of the workload of the police.

You're the perfect person to answer my question then, having direct experience. Are you required to have a work permit to do your volunteer work in Thailand or are you exempted from that requirement?

Let me address the WP thing. As well as being a FPV I am also a member of Rotary and I have a WP for neither, although I do have a WP but for my business.

If you are doing voluntary work to help the Thai's do you think the Police are going to arrest you? I have been a Rotarian for several years. My club is member of Rotary International as are all Rotary Clubs. Can you imagine the uproar internationally if the Immigration Police rounded up 10 Rotarians for working when doing volunteer working helping poor Thai families?

The problem comes when someone sings in a bar every night, or week and says its for raising money for charity.

If you wish to help by doing volunteer work, may I suggest you join something like Rotary or Lions Club. These are international organisations and you are very unlikely to ever get into problems.

[wcr]

I have just read the following statement from another forum. Anyone know if it is true?

"Chonburi Province Police Chief General Commander Asswin Kwanmuang and Pattaya Police Chief Superintendent Colonel Sutin Suppuang resigned unexpected yesterday"

[ovenman]

If you are doing voluntary work to help the Thai's do you think the Police are going to arrest you?

Allow me to refresh your memory with the following:

Tsunami volunteers warned: get work permits

PHUKET: Foreign volunteers assisting in tsunami-related charity work are required to hold work permits, regardless of whether they are being paid for their efforts or not.

Sayan Chuaiyjan, head of the Phuket Provincial Employment Service Office [ESO], told the Gazette yesterday that there could be no exceptions and that his office would begin to enforce the regulations soon – possibly in March.

“There can be no exceptions. Work is work, even if it is for charity,” he said.

He urged relief workers to apply for work permits, adding that those working for recognized charitable organizations would find them easy to obtain.

“They can just present a document certified by the charity organization they work for and we will issue them with work permits, then they will be able to work legally,” he said.

He pointed out that any foreigner caught working with out a work permit is liable to hefty punishment.

“If our officers, police officers or immigration police learn [of foreign volunteers] who don’t have work permits, the maximum penalty is three years in jail, a 30,000 baht fine [or both],” he warned.

“We did not enforce this law too rigidly [in the immediate aftermath of the tsunami], because we knew that everyone wanted to help out.

“But now that the situation is returning to normal, we will have to start taking it more seriously,” he said, adding that a crackdown could begin as early as next month.

Phuket Vice-Governor Winai Buapradit, who is charged with overseeing work permit procedures in the province, agreed with the ESO stance and said that the law needed to be enforced both in Phuket and throughout Thailand.

“Now that the post-tsunami relief operations are slowing down, they should have work permits to continue working. Otherwise, government officials will have no idea what they are actually doing here – and this could result in trouble in the future,” he said this morning.

Brought to you by:

The Phuket Gazette

[Ulysses G.]

Don't forget: TIT!